Skip to main content

Subaru’s sharp-looking Impreza 5-Door Concept previews the all-new 2017 Impreza

Subaru has introduced a new design study named Impreza 5-Door Concept at this year’s edition of the Tokyo Motor Show.

It doesn’t take a seasoned auto industry analyst to tell that the Impreza 5-Door Concept accurately previews the next generation of the Impreza. The show car adopts a more modern overall appearance that falls in line with Subaru’s Dynamic & Solid design language thanks to styling cues like C-shaped headlights that stretch well beyond the front end, a more angular rendition of Subaru’s ubiquitous hexagonal grille, and a sporty-looking bumper with oversized air vents.

Beyond the front end, the Impreza 5-Door Concept boasts a steeply-raked A-pillar, a rakish roof line, and sculpted flanks. The back end is fitted with C-shaped tail lamps reminiscent of the headlights, and a roof-mounted spoiler that adds a touch of sportiness to the silhouette. All told, the concept looks more grown-up and markedly sharper than the Impreza that’s currently sitting on dealer lots. It’s much wider, too.

In the Japanese capital, the Impreza 5-Door Concept is sharing the spotlight on the Subaru stand with an equally important show car named VIZIV Future. It’s not too far-fetched to speculate that both show cars will be displayed again in a couple of weeks during the Los Angeles Motor Show, giving U.S. enthusiasts the opportunity to see them in the metal.

What’s next?

Subaru openly admits the Impreza 5-Door Concept will spawn the fifth-generation Impreza. Expected to land as a 2017 model, it will ride on a brand new modular platform that is being designed to underpin most of the members of the Subaru lineup. The next Impreza will consequently be wider and a little bit longer than the current model.

The 2017 Impreza will also usher in a new family of flat-four engines fitted with efficiency-boosting tech features such as direct fuel-injection and cylinder deactivation. All models will come standard with the next evolution of Subaru’s time-tested all-wheel drive system.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more